Abstract
A sophisticated stir casting route to fabricate large scale AA6061–31%B4C composite was developed. Key process parameters were studied, microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite were investigated. The results indicated that vacuum stirring/casting, B4C/Mg feeding and ingots cooling were essential to the successful fabrication of AA6061–31%B4C composite. Chemical erosion examination verified the designed B4C content; X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XFS) showed the chemical composition of Mg and Si in the matrix conformed to industry standards; scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that B4C particles were evenly distributed in the composites with well dispersed Mg2Si precipitates. Tensile testing results showed that the AA6061–31%B4C composite had a tensile strength of 340 MPa, improved by 112.5% compared with AA1100–31%B4C composite, which is attributed to the enhanced strength of the matrix alloy.
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